5 Tools for Moving to a New City

Moving to a new city is such an exciting challenge, but it can be really difficult too. There is a lot of paperwork, a lot of packing, and probably a lot of traveling back and forth to find a place to live.

And then there’s the actual moving day. Phew. So many unlabeled boxes to make the whole process chaotic.

To make the moving process a bit smoother and settling into your new home a little less stressful, take a look at some of these tools for moving to a new city.

Avoid Craigslist when you’re looking for a new place. There are far more reputable sites for you to find a new place.

The best feature of Apartments.com is that you can filter out results based on amenities you want in your new home. Want a washer/dryer in your apartment? Filter out the ones that don’t have one. Pet-friendly? Filter out the ones that won’t allow your dog.

You’ll get a clear view of what apartments are available to you and your needs and you’ll be able to compare prices. Most listings have a lot of pictures of the apartment, the building, and the surrounding area as well.

Moving is expensive. Making a budget and sticking to it is the best way to set yourself up for success in the new city.

But making a budget and keeping track of it can be difficult. Mint can help you keep track of all of your spending and see where you can cut back to save for your move.

It’ll also help you keep track of your bill payments and your credit score.

3. Your Favorite List App

You can’t keep everything you need to remember inside your head and then expect to remember it during a stressful process like packing and moving.

Make a list of all the paperwork you need: lease, a paycheck stub, DMV paperwork to get a new driver’s license and license plate if you’re moving states, bank account paperwork if you’re changing banks, and utility stop/starts.

Label all of your boxes depending on where they go in the home, and then make a list of how many boxes you have for each room. If you’re using movers, this is an easy way to make sure all of your belongings made it to their new home.

If you aren’t using movers, that list is just a good peace of mind and organizational tool.

Then, make a list of the important things you’ll need on the first day. Don’t pack all of your toiletries in a box that will definitely be buried somewhere for several days. Pack all of your essentials and a few changes of clothes in a suitcase so you can have everything you need on hand during the move and the unpacking process.

I know I said to avoid Craigslist when finding a new place to live, but you don’t have to avoid it entirely. Make the move a little easier by selling some of your stuff. You love your bed frame right now, but when you’re hauling it up to the top floor with no elevator, you’re going to wish you sold it.

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist both make it easy for you to sell those items you don’t want to bring with you to the new place.

Plus, you’ll have some extra cash in your pocket that could help with a deposit or buying shiny new furniture for the new pad.

It can be really hard to settle into a new city when you don’t know anyone, and it’s challenging making new friends as an adult.

That’s where Meet Up comes in. You choose what you’re interested in and go to events with similarly interested people. It might take more than one try to find a group of people you really want to be friends with, but it’ll help make the transition to a new city easier if you aren’t just going to work and then going home every day.